Report: Seahawks may add more seats to CenturyLink Field

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Think 68,000 screaming fans are loud? Wait until the Seahawks cram more of the 12th Man into CenturyLink Field.

At least, that’s what the team is thinking of doing, according to a report by Fox Sports. NFL writer Mike Garafolo reported Thursday, citing an anonymous source, that the Seahawks are considering adding 2,000 to 3,000 more seats at their home stadium for the 2014 season.

This is the northward view from the section of CenturyLink Field where the 12th Man flag is raised. (Getty Images)

The source said the addition would be in the south end zone, where the “12th Man” flag is raised before each game. There is a break in the seating on the 300 level behind the flag that would be filled in.

It’s also possible the added fans would increase the din in the building by more than the sounds of their voices. One of the proposals is for the seats to be metal bleachers, like those already in place in the “Hawks’ Nest” on the opposite end of the stadium. Fans in that end zone stomp on the bleachers to create more noise, particularly when the opposing team is backed up near its own goal line.

Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times confirmed Garafolo’s report with the Seahawks. Seattlepi.com is waiting for independent confirmation from the team.

CenturyLink Field, which opened as Seahawks Stadium in 2002, currently holds about 68,000 fans for football games. On Sept. 15, 68,338 people piled into the CLink to watch the Hawks demolish the 49ers 29-3 — an attendance record for the Sodo stadium.

An extra 3,000 seats would certainly fill a need. The Seahawks have sold out 87-straight home games, including the playoffs, dating to 2003. There are also about 12,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets after this past offseason’s franchise-record 98 percent renewal rate.

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